Eurovision contestant Jude York performs on Gold Coast for the chance to represent Australia at iconic music event

He performed in front of billions of people on the stage of one of Australia’s most iconic music events and now the results are in.

Update

Even the wildest dreams can come true and one Toowoomba muso who performed on the stage of one of Australia’s largest music competitions, is proof.

From as young as he can remember, Jude York (Jeremy Beamish) would walk around his house singing and not long after, he was playing several instruments.

But it wasn’t until the first moment he took to the stage at the age of nine and performed an operatic duet alongside his mum at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane, that he realised music was his true calling.

Toowoomba musician Jude York performs at Eurovision - Australia Decides.

Now the 22-year-old Toowoomba musician has hit a new height after he placed eighth in the Eurovision – Australia Decides competition last weekend, performing his piano-ballad I Won’t Need to Dream.

“Every artist was so sweet and nurturing of me being one of the newer artists there,” he said.

“I was the smallest artist entering the competition so I just felt lucky to be there and for the support I received from the jury and the people.”

Not one to shy away from the spotlight, York embraced the mix of emotions he felt when he took to the Gold Coast stage – a combination of nerves and excitement.

With plenty on the horizon for the aspiring singer-songwriter, he’s now beginning to process the realisation of life never being the same.

Toowoomba musician Jude York with Australian singer-songwriter Pauline Curuenavuli.

Similar to how he faces his stage jitters and butterflies, York said he couldn’t wait for what lay ahead.

“Now I feel like a valid artist,” he said.

“I have an album release under my belt, a fanbase from all over the world and so many people excited to see what I do next.”

Travelling to Sydney to perform his next gig this month, the muso has his sights set on Europe or L.A, where he plans to work on new music and release more albums.

Offering choice words of advice for aspiring musicians across the region who may have been watching his weekend performance, York said anything was possible.

“I truly believe you have to share your art and take that emotional step, whether it’s starting a social media account or doing small shows in front of your friends,” he said.

“There’s so much power in vulnerability and always remember people aren’t just attracted to music – they’re attracted to your story and your personality, so be bold enough to share that.”

Jude York is touring Sydney alongside Mystic Kitowith and Heleina Zara, on March 9, at The Great Club in Marrickville.

Winner Sheldon Riley will represent Australia at Eurovision in May.

Contestant scores:

Sheldon Riley — Not the Same: 50, 50 — 100

Voyager — Dreamer: 60, 37 — 97

Jaguar Jonze — Little Fires: 40, 51 — 91

Charley — I suck at Being Lonely: 30, 33 — 63

G-Nat1on — Bite me: 45, 11 — 56

Paulini — We Are One: 20, 32 — 52

Andrew Lambrou — Electrify: 35, 16 — 51

Jude York — I Won’t Need to Dream: 15, 32 — 47

Isaiah Firebrace/Evie Irie — When I’m With You: 10, 35 — 45

Eric Padilla —To the Bottom: 25, 20 — 45

Seann Miley Moore — My Body: 5, 18 — 23

Toowoomba musician Jude York performs at Eurovision - Australia Decides.

Earlier

At just 22 years of age, Toowoomba singer Jude York may be about to play the biggest show of his life, for the chance to perform to a crowd of billions.

The talented musician will be one of 10 artists with the chance to follow Guy Sebastian, Dami Im, Isaiah, Mauboy, Kate Miller-Heidke and Montaigne as Australia’s representative at Eurovision 2022 set to be held at Turin, Italy in May.

But first, York has to wow the audience at Saturday night’s live performance on the Gold Coast with his song I Won’t Need To Dream.

Eurovision 2022. (QLD) Toowoomba artist Jude York pictured on the Gold Coast (Dorsett Hotel) ahead of Eurovision. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

The singer-songwriter was initially accepted to the Eurovision Australia Decides spectacle on his songwriting abilities alone, before he got the nod to perform his own song on the big stage.

“I’m so excited, I feel very lucky to be in this situation,” he said.

“At this point I want people to see the performance and connect with the song. The song is all about believing that dreams do come true, and I feel like mine really are right now.”

York said he had always been a fan of Eurovision, but really started to take notice when Dami Im represented Australia in 2016.

Toowoomba musician Jude York has been announced as one of the performers who will take to the Eurovision – Australia Decides stage on the Gold Coast in March Picture: supplied

“That was a big moment for me and since then I’ve been fascinated with Eurovision and how it’s such an amazing celebration of culture,” he said.

“I don’t want to compare to previous years, I just want the performance to live up to the best possible version of what it could be. I want people to connect with the emotions of the song and really lose themselves in the world it creates.”

To vote for York text ‘11’ to 0421 261 966. Voting will be open from 9pm Friday February 25 and close 8.45pm Saturday, February 26.

Eurovision Australia Decides will be broadcast live on SBS from 7.30pm. For more details visit the Eurovision website.